Gravel and Greens
Gravel and Greens
Discover the breathtaking and accessible mountain biking and gravel trails located in the North East Tasmania
Why Gravel and Greens?
This trip is specifically tailored for beginners or less confident riders who love to be on their bikes in nature, but who are looking for a more relaxed and cautious approach. We'll primarily ride on gentle gravel trails and easy mountain bike routes. It's not an intense, hardcore mountain biking expedition, as we'll generally spend half of the day cycling and the other half exploring the region's unique attractions and hidden gems.
You will visit George Town, Blue Derby and St Helen MTB Trails along with rail trails and dedicated cycleways. There will also be some of the easy Green (easiest) level mountain bike trails if you are up for it.
Looking for a different style of trip? Head back to Our Trips page to see what else is on offer.
Itinerary
Day 1 - Meet Launceston
We will meet in Launceston in the afternoon and spend the night at a local 4-star hotel. Here we get to know each other, build our bikes and prepare the bike trailer for the following day. We will take the opportunity to find out why Launceston has been designated a UNESCO City of Gastronomy and wander to one of the award-winning restaurants close by for dinner. Plan your trip to arrive in Launceston from 12 pm onwards. Airport shuttles will be on rotation to pick you up from the airport or nearby accommodation and transfer you to the hotel.
Day 2 - George Town
Our itinerary for today discovers the exciting new trail network in George Town, a charming town located just north of Launceston. Our adventure will commence with a skills session to ensure everyone is well-prepared before we embark on our exploration. Dividing into groups, we will have the opportunity to savour the trails meticulously constructed by World Trail, catering to riders of all skill levels. After a picnic lunch, our itinerary includes a visit to a charming winery, where we can indulge in tastings and soak in the beauty of the vineyards. Additionally, we will make a stop at the renowned lavender fields, known for their fragrant blooms and stunning vistas. Finally, we will reach our destination of Derby, where we will be settling in for the next two nights.
Day 3 - Derby
Today we explore what makes this area so special. To ensure an enjoyable experience for everyone, we will divide into groups based on confidence and fitness levels. Our itinerary includes two trails: the 26km North East Rail Trail and the beautiful 10km Valley Ponds trail. There are flexible options available, allowing participants to do all or just parts of these trails and choose their preferred distance. As the day draws to a close, we will indulge in a visit to the extraordinary Derby floating Sauna, a sensational way to unwind and rejuvenate. We will finish the day with dinner at one of the brilliant local restaurants.
Day 4 - Derby and surrounds
We will spend the morning heading deeper into the Derby network exploring some of the hidden waterfalls and lookouts. Again we will remain on the green trails but split into 3 groups based on confidence and fitness. After lunch, we will board the bus and head to the east coast stopping at the famous Pyenganna Dairy with some of Australia's finest artisan farmhouse cheese. We finish the day at our accommodation next to the beach, Scamander Sanctuary.
Day 5 - East Coast Bay of Fires
Today starts with a gentle morning yoga session, designed to stretch out any muscle tightness or fatigue. Afterwards, you can enjoy relaxation by reading a book, taking a stroll along the beach, or visiting the nearby town of Scamander for a delightful coffee. Later in the morning, we will load the bikes and head to the St Helens trail network for our final ride. During this ride, we will focus on honing our skills as we navigate the green trails at the trailhead. Upon completion, we will continue our ride into town, following the scenic bayside trails. Once in town, you can explore and choose a suitable spot for lunch, whether on the jetty or in one of the local cafes. As the day winds down, we will return to our accommodation for a final special dinner, marking the end of our adventure together.
Day 6 - Return to Launceston
We begin the day with breakfast and the opportunity to savour the beach one last time with a final walk along its shores. Afterwards, we prepare to depart, ensuring our bikes are properly packed and ready to go. Our experienced guides will be there to assist you throughout the process. At 9:30, the bus will depart from our accommodation, commencing our return journey. Our first stop is the Launceston airport, where we are expected to arrive at 12:30. From there, we will proceed to Launceston CBD, with drop-offs at your accommodation.
What is included
Scheduled airport shuttle to/from Launceston Airport & accomodation
4 days of incredible biking with optional coaching and skills
5 nights of boutique accommodation
A visit to the Derby Floating Sauna & yoga at Bay of Fires
All breakfasts
All dinners
3 lunches
All mountain bike shuttles as indicated in the itinerary
2 x MTB guides when on the trails, bike mechanical support + more
What is not included
Bike Rental: This is an extra if you do not have your own bike. Click here for details
Non-scheduled Launceston shuttles. Sorry, we don’t offer shuttles at alternative times. You are welcome to make your own way to Derby, and from St Helens, if you like, just let us know when you register.
Beverages: In general, you are responsible for your own beverages & alcoholic drinks.
2 lunches where we eat at local cafes.
Specialised Riding Snacks: Although some snacks and drinks will be available each day, you might like to bring your own personal ride snacks and electrolyte replacements.
Airfares
We strongly recommend you take out suitable insurance to cover you in the event of cancellations, accidents or loss.
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Gravel and Greens FAQs
Although this trip is different from our signature Women’s MTB Retreat in NE Tasmania, it is run with the same philosophy. Our aim by the end is to allow you to escape, connect and evolve.
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Who is this trip suitable for?
This trip is suitable for beginners and also those who prefer a more cautious approach to gravel. We will still break into smaller groups to ensure everyone is riding at their level. Our least confident groups will stick to trails similar to rail trails. Our more confident groups will focus on green trails across the mountain bike networks. We will ride for approximately half the day and explore for the remainder.
If you are a beginner but you are of reasonable fitness, want to ride for most of the day, are happily riding over curbside gutters, and want to learn how to ride harder trails, you might be better off going to the Signature Retreat where there is room for progression.
If you are a hard-core gravel rider wanting to grind hundreds of km up big mountains, sorry but this isn’t the focus of this trip.
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Is this a Women's Only Trip?
Certainly is! The trip is specifically designed for women, creating a safe and inclusive environment that fosters female empowerment. It offers a unique opportunity for women to connect, support each other, and embark on a journey of self-discovery and personal growth. So, yes, it is a women's only trip.
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What sort of a bike do I need?
For this trip, we think you need a mountain bike suitable for riding on gravel trails. A hardtail or dual-suspension bike is perfect. It probably isn’t ideal for a road bike style gravel bike with drop handle bars.
You need to make sure your bike is recently serviced and bring some spare parts. We are heading to remote areas with limited support for bikes. We will have a bike mechanic along for the trip with some generic parts as we understand how important it is to keep you moving. As with all our trips, we are there to support you build and pack your bike out of the bag/box you transport it in.
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What is the group size for this trip?
The group will be between 12 to 16 riders and 4 staff. The larger group enables us to split into ability level and choose different routes to suit. We will have minimum 2 female bike guides, a bike mechanic and a driver to keep everyone moving
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How do I book?
Head to our dates and bookings page for details
